I think so, too, but I see from the comments that we are in the minority.

CommentsByKatie

I think it’s glorious! It’s a CALENDAR, I don’t think it’s supposed to be super serious art. It’s supposed to be fabulous and fun, and it’s that in spades.

hughman

Um…. what??

Danielle

August looks like every Kill Bill fanfiction I’ve ever come across on Tumblr.

Rand Ortega

Please tell me that’s real.

Danielle

It’s real, all right.

RussellH88

Now we know what the REAL unfinished business was.

fursa_saida

AND I LOVE IT.

imspinningaround

The Photoshop workmanship here is truly breathtaking in its awfulness. The floating glasses in December look particularly clone tooled.

gabbilevy

Welcome to the wonders of the annual Campari Calendar of Photoshopped Mannequins that Sometimes Resemble Famous Actresses.

leahpapa

The ubiquity of PS and even CGI have rendered spectacular images less…er, spectacular. Instead of looking at November and thinking, that is a stunningly large rocking horse! I think, that is a stunningly large amount of ones and zeros simulating the image of a rocking horse. WWSS (What would Sontag say?)

barbarienne

Though I have to say I thought the chromed-up Stonehenge (June) was pretty cool. Tacky on some level, but cool.

twigg

And it looks like the same glass and flower bundle…just copy/paste’d

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

I has confused.

sojourneryouth

Me too, but I am not familiar with this calendar overall. I suspect they were heading towards “sumptuous elegance,” but broke down at “budget awkwardness.” Uma is awesome, but most of these photos look like Glamour Shots with better props (April, May), or were clearly conceived while tripping balls on cold medicine: JUNE!

Levedi

With a nice dose of offensive cultural appropriation too.

Adriana_Paula

Word.

sojourneryouth

Oh yes! I’m just so overdosed with it as a WOC lately (thanks to Miley and Lily Allen), I couldn’t go there right away. Seriously. Can’t die on every hill, man.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOctocornNetwork International Model

I want the a story behind August. Hot.

imspinningaround

Yes. August and October are by far the most interesting.

Denise Alden

Yes! It’s all sort of goofy, but I kind of love it.

Domo_Konnichiwa

I want the September bathtub. If it easily converts into a boat, all the better.

Snailstsichr

I imagined it as a gondola-inspired fainting couch – and I totally need one!

MoHub

Agreed. I don’t think it’s a bathtub. More likely some kind of “velveteen settee.”

Qitkat

It’s beautiful too. That glowing, romantic sky. The quality of the lighting. The glimpse of the village and sea below. The shadows. The intensity of the face. The perfect pose of the two characters, as if we could imagine an entire story about them. Magical.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

Metal Stonehenge. WTF.

Sobaika

Yeah… June and November are particularly weird.

Renaissance_Man_ATL

No ma’am, November is spectacular!

mjude

I have been coming to TLO for evah. this is the 1st time I have noticed someone voting “down” on a few of our comments. struck me as strange.

I don’t care in the slightest. Downvoting should be outlawed, or at the very least reserved for people who say incredibly awful things. Like, “Downvoters love metallic world monuments.”

conniemd

I don’t think I’ve every upvoted or downvoted any comments on this site. I’ve seen it used on other boards as a form of bullying/in crowd and it seems so juvenile, like back in high school and I’m so cool because I have so much positive rep. Who gives a shit about popularity contests? I’m okay with pushing a “like” button as in “right on sista/brotha” but if you disagree, than woman up and state your opinion. Downvotes are anonymous aggression.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

You said it. Passive aggressive = juvenile and cowardly. And really not worth a whit. (ETA: if Trolly McTrollerson is still watching, get ready to join the Downvoted Club, Conniemd!)

Corsetmaker

I have very occasionally downvoted a comment. But it would be something that I thought was unnecessarily rude or uncalled for where there was clearly no point in attempting to argue. So people trolling basically. But there seems to be a rash of random downvotes on perfectly innocuous posts which is peculiar. Unless it is a phone glitch or something where it’s done by accident.

marlie

It’s been a little more prevalent in the last couple of weeks that the most benign comments are getting downvoted. Doesn’t make sense.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

I read something somewhere else that suggested that if you are on Disqus with your phone, you can accidentally downvote without knowing. I think that is a kinder construction than assuming people are being immature douchecanoes.

marlie

Hm. So did someone *accidentally* just downvote you, or did they somehow find something offensive in what you just said?

I know a lot of people don’t care about them, but it almost seems like trying to discourage discussion or friendly disagreement.

Anyway, whatever.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

The irony! Yeah, dunno. I guess calling people immature douchecanoes is offensive.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

pussies.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

If it was innocent, I’d guess that this conversation regarding the activities of lurking downvoters (who may or may not be the producers/directors of the Campari Calendar) wouldn’t be the most downvoted on this thread.

formerlyAnon

I would propose a contest to see how innocuous a statement one can make and still get down voted, but I fear no one would bite. Pity.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things?

formerlyAnon

You KNOW I was sorely tempted to anonymously down vote this.
But that would be cheating . . . ;-D

mlle

That is the most confusing. I feel like the shot would be better if Stonehenge weren’t inexplicably shiny.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

I know! Don’t think it would’ve been hard to green-screen a shot of her in front of a REAL Stonehenge, or even PUT her there in real life, so I just don’t get it. I guess they were thinking “modern?” Odd.

mlle

We didn’t even get to see her reflection bouncing around metal Stonehenge. Come on, guys, if you’re going to do something wacky at least COMMIT to it.

http://skreened.com/bkcentral Sarah

Amen!

fursa_saida

All I can think about now is the “What’s the meaning of Stonehenge” song, because talk about a commitment to wackiness.

NinaBoo

I sees endometrial lining and nothing else.

beebee10

J’adore Uma, but these are incredibly dull, photoshopped until the LIFE is drained out, just don’t work. Feb, Aug (great butch look) and November are the only ones I think make it and the rest are clunkers. Hope she got a big check.

slizzy

I like that January references her Pulp Fiction character, at least hair-wise.

mjude

its all really kind of dull. I do like oct/nov

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOctocornNetwork International Model

Also, November is reminding me of a “Designing Women” episode where Suzanne is being photographed on a Merry-Go-Round horse and Julia is asked to suck pearls (my favorite Julia rant).

NinaBoo

That’s my third favorite Julia rant!

1. “It has been the men…so if the world isn’t quite what you had in mind, you have only yourselves to thank!”

2. “If God was giving out sexually transmitted diseases to people as a punishment for sinning, that you would be at the free clinic all the time! And so would the rest of us!!”

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOctocornNetwork International Model

For no. 1 – when Dixie goes to sit down and then gets right back up…kills me every time.

The cultural appropriation in the first half of the year is kind of odious, but I do love the androgynous tango.

marlie

Thank you. I was hoping that I wasn’t the only one to notice that.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

You know, I keep pretty far away from conversations about cultural appropriation, but I noticed it too and wondered if it would be discussed at all.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

While I am pretty much a chardonnay socialist, I can’t help thinking that if you see it, you should say it. It’s not manufactured outrage, just letting the system know that you are onto it and that it isn’t OK!

conniemd

So totally agree with this, there is nothing wrong with being offended and stating your feelings. We react as we react, to suggest our reaction is manufactured outrage is silly. I for one want to know when I have offended, how else will I understand and be aware of different outlooks and cultures than my own?

Qitkat

I keep far away from those types of discussions now too, after my debacle a couple of months ago, but I really, truly do not understand why these images are so offensive to some people.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

I’m not the one to answer that. I have a hard time seeing where personal likes or styllized homage crosses the line over into offenseive and I think that line is drawn individually. (If that makes sense) Mostly I am a facinated observer when those types of discussions are had.

formerlyAnon

For me it is also hit or miss. Certain things strike me clearly. Others I have been educated to “see,” others I have learned by rote will be offensive to some, but I still don’t get it. Of course, my child graduated with a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, so I’m used to getting the raised eyebrow of “we’ve talked about this, but I’m going to resign myself to your obtuseness rather than derail this otherwise pleasant conversation.” (My child has lovely manners.) I think it is kind of funny that I’m a reactionary dinosaur in my own home when so many of my acquaintances and relatives see me as so far left as to be out of sight.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

Perfectly stated, thank you.

marlie

I don’t think this is an instance where I’m offended, per se, I just noticed, and there’s a difference between the two (to me), but I can’t quite articulate what it is.

KateShouldBeWorking

What triggered it for me was the wig in January. I got the impression that the stylist was going for a Dragon Lady thing rather than Uma enjoying her time in China: That she was dressed as a people rather than as a person, if that makes any sense.

I’ve been actively trying to be a better white, straight person so perhaps I’m too sensitive at the moment.

Laura Renee

I also had a hard time understanding it at first, but the best place to start is thinking of white people wearing Native American headdresses and war paint, or even the casual use of “spirit animal,” in spite of white people’s role in the genocide of Native Americans. Similarly, placing white people in African or other non-Western settings dressed up to be “exotic” is offensive when you consider the historical impact of colonization.

In other words: Westerners (using the term as a generalization for Caucasians) have a long history of inflicting damage on other cultures, damage that has a heavy effect even today, so it’s vulgar to use (appropriate) aspects of those cultures to make things seem sexy or fun, or for a costume, in spite of that history.

Qitkat

Thank you for your perspective. I have engaged in a conversation before on this blog about this topic. I have realized that I may have a different take on some of these issues, but respect that people come to their own feelings from different places and experiences. I’m not going to engage again, with all due respect.

Laura Renee

Sounds good to me! I am all for cordial exchange of views and avoiding unpleasant confrontation on the net.

ampg

It’s totally your right not to engage, but I’m not really understanding why you then chose to bring it up (and in a way that would seem to imply that you did want to discuss). I get that this is a really fraught topic, and one I struggle with, myself, but it really looked like you were asking for an explanation from someone. To get one that’s quite thoughtful and well-written, only to say, “thanks but no thanks” seems a bit jerky to me. Again, I’m not saying AT ALL that you have to discuss anything you don’t want to, but this whole exchange struck me as kind of baiting, in a way.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

@ampg:disqus , to be fair, I brought it up and @Qitkat:disqus (someone I interact with regularly here) was replying to me in way that, to me, wasn’t asking anyone to answer a query. I remember the exchange mentioned and it was sometimes tense. I believe that her opinion was simply being stated succinctly. Her reply to @laura_renee:disqus was more polite than to simply ignore a comment made directly to her. We are a chatty bunch, after all; silence can be rude too.

ampg

OK, point taken. And I’ve seen @Qitkat:disqus around a lot and generally respect her contributions. But I still think there’s a pretty big difference between “I’ve come to realize that I may have a different take” and “I really, truly do not understand why these images are offensive to some people.” At the end of the day, I do appreciate the desire not to rehash a conversation that won’t go anywhere.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

Yes – it is the difference between “I don’t understand why these are offensive” and “I don’t think people should find these offensive”. One is a position of openness, one is not.

Qitkat

My friend, I am sending you a hug. (((( ))))

marlie

Also, my issue with THIS calendar has nothing to do with cultural appropriation/not cultural appropriation, and has everything to do with the fact that I think the pictures aren’t all that great or well done. THAT’S the first thing I noticed.

marlie

Someone had mentioned that they couldn’t figure out the theme for this year’s calendar. At first I thought that Uma would be representing a bunch of different cultures, and I think it wouldn’t have stood out so much to me if it was the whole calendar, but it seems like they started with that, and then ran out of ideas a third of the way in, and just decided to go in a different direction.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

No, I think they all are representing a bunch of different cultures, just some are better known than others. There is a tango festival in Buenos Aires in August, for example.

marlie

Hm. Interesting. I wonder what March, June, September, and December are supposed to be, then. And November screams Christmas to me so much that the first time I scrolled through to double check that it wasn’t Dec.

ETA: Other posters have filled in some of the less obvious months…

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

March is Mardi Gras isn’t it? She’s chucking beads off a New Orleans-esque balcony. September must be some sort of Viking festival.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

Oh! And I think November is for the Melbourne Cup – horses and funny hats.

NYCGlamourpuss

I love every single one of those! That’s an awesome calendar and she looks fabulous!

KateShouldBeWorking

Uma appropriates all the cultures!

Keep the Westwood, girl; you’re killing it.

Nancer

I love the November Versace – so over the top and fabulous! Makes me laugh, but in a good way!

rage_on_the_page

These are weird. Except the one with her dancing with the lady. HOT.

Jacqueline Wessel

She has very expressive gestures.

Little_Olive

Wow. Just wow.
Except for December (what happened there, now?)

KinoEye

ADORE the androgynous August look. Not really feeling the rest, but I do love me some Uma.

Lisa M. (ReVoir) Kramp

Overall it’s lovely, but the Vivienne Westwood and the two-fer Tango are the absolute best. Her sensuality is transcendent.

marlie

So August looks NOTHING like Uma. I dunno… I’m not impressed by the majority, BUT I think the November picture is great. Also, the December picture seems distinctly “summery.”

alyce1213

This gal winters at a tropical resort, floating Campari cocktails in the pool.

Isabel

March is for Mardi Gras. June is for the Summer Solstice. What’s in August, besides heat in northern hemisphere?

Danielle

Androgynous lady love.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

Buenos Aires tango festival.

OpinionatedMtnGirl

I love November – super dramatic and fun!

Imasewsure

Wow she is not a model but love the last few months (August, October to December). August is the best but November is my month so I’m partial to that one too

Qitkat

These Campari calendars are so much fun. And occasionally beautiful and intriguing. I think you can find the pictures over the years on line. Penelope Cruz’s was gorgeous. My favorite is August with the two dancing women.

Nicola Anna Molly Page

I thought they were fun. I like that she’s wearing Vivienne Westwood on my birthday month, totally means my wardrobe should be filled with VW too!

She looks incredible in that shade of red. Also, it took me a while to realize that those aren’t votives in the December shot, they’re floating cocktails.

ChelseaNH

I think November’s rocking horse is bigger than my house, but I still want it.

newtonGOTbeaned

I suspect this calendar is not going to go over well in some circles.

sleepycat

Some of the shots are amazing, but I dislike some of the culturally sensitive/”exotic” ones and honestly I don’t know how I feel about the lesbian shot (somewhere in the complex nexus of yay for exposure, nay for exotication). Although clearly they had an amazing photographer and graphic designer.

Candigirl1968

Y’all need to un-Whiteboard this, because we need to hear your thoughts on this “around the world” campaign.

EveEve

Beautiful images, but whatever “work” she had done recently has changed her face from instantly recognizable, to “that kind of looks like Uma Thurman.”

Love November! And not just cause it’s my birth month. December is meh.

formerlyAnon

OMG. These remind me of the stunning magazine ads I remember from my very young childhood.

cocohall

For me, March, May, July and November are delightful. The others, I can take or leave. I bet this is a fun shoot. Good for her for being game. It is inherently silly and retro and you have to be a good sport about yourself and your image to participate. Can you imagine Madonna doing this? Not on your life.

andreawey

boring… she’s practically in the same dress in every shot

jspark

I want a poster of March or August, I love the range of ideas here.

mrspotts66

wow. she looks amazing.
some of the clothes? meh.
love love love march, october and november! stunning.

Tashina Savage

She is such a unique beauty. I am kind of in love with all of these shots. Especially March, August, and October.

e jerry powell

THAT IS FILTH. I AM GAGGING.

The fabulousity is suffocating me.

But Uma is doing more modeling than acting lately, no?

trisker

Here are my guesses for the “international celebrations” although I don’t recognize them all: Jan.: Chinese New Year; Feb.: Surfing competition in Hawaii? Black History month?? (i doubt it); March: Mardi Gras/Carnevale; April: Japanese cherry blossom festival; May: Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses?; June: summer solstice; July: fireworks in France, US.;
August: No clue? (great pic tho’); September: Venice film festival/gondola regatta; October: Day of Dead/Halloween; November: Melbourne Cup horse race; December: Festival of Lights Burma/Thailand. I love guessing these every year, so if you know or have other ideas, please comment!

Samantha

I read February as “Africa! ‘Tribal’ stuff and a barefoot black girl!” and cringed a lot, but maybe I’m a cynic.

BrooklynBomber

I’m impressed. How’d you come up with all those? Totally stumped by February, though. Kind of tiki-African. Which is weird.

formerlyAnon

Right? I was thinking, well, in February we go to the [unspecified] Islands and drink in [poorly] Afro-Caribbean themed tourist bars???

BrooklynBomber

Yes – that must be it!

Corsetmaker

Not far out If you go to the campari website each image is labelled with the location. Not the event as such, but the place.